Arsenal

Three goals in nine minutes on Monday, then two goals in three minutes on Thursday. Arsenal are at least playing in bursts of quality, which is an improvement of sorts even if their general output remains worryingly below par in this season of angst and worry.

For much of an uncomfortable night in Belgium, Arsenal reverted to their clammy, nervous selves, as if Monday’s confidence-boosting win at West Ham United had not happened at all. Only the promise of youth, and Bukayo Saka in particular, ensured this was not a humiliating defeat for Freddie Ljungberg’s much-changed side.

A draw against Standard Liege proved to be enough, with results elsewhere working in Arsenal’s favour. Had Eintracht Frankfurt defeated Vitoria in Germany, Arsenal would have finished second in their group and been faced with the prospect of meeting the best Champions League dropouts in the next round of the Europa League.

As it was, they survived. The 18-year-old Saka was the star, not for the first time this season, and Alexandre Lacazette struck a much-needed goal for his own confidence as Ljungberg’s side battled back from two deflected goals that had spun wickedly into Emiliano Martinez’s net.

The importance of Saka can be viewed in two ways. The more miserly approach would be to wonder why Arsenal relied upon a teenager of his inexperience to rescue them from embarrassment. Those of a more optimistic disposition will see this as further proof of Saka’s supreme talent.